Snap switch



Aug 2, 1932-y J. F. sEUFER'r 1,870,072

SNAP SWITCH Filed Dec. 13, 1926 vemtoz Patented Aug. 2, 1932 UNrrDsTATEs PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH F. SE-UFFERT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO HENRY HYMAN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK SNAP SWITCH Application filed December 13, 1926. Serial No. 154,319.'

My invention relates to a snap switch and more particularly to the type used for a wall switch and enclosed in a porcelain insulating box, set in flush with la wall surface, but it is not limited to such uses. An object of my inv-ention is to provide a switch of great simplicity because of few and simple parts, and one reliable in its action and not likely to get out of order. Other objects and advantages 3'@ will appear from a consideration of the invention as outlined in the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing of an embodiment thereof in which,

Fig. 1 is a cross-section through a wall and switch box showing the switch in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a similar cross-section showing the switch in open position; t

Fig. 8 is a cross-section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 is a detail.

Like reference characters indicate like parts in the several views.

In the embodiment shown the switch is pivotally mounted on a top plate or switch supporting plate 10 secured to a porcelain box 11 in the usual manner, with the switch member enclosed in the box and a control member or control lever 12 projecting therefrom. Terminals 13 and 14 connect to feed wires 15 and 16 and to contact plates 17 and 18 respectively in the usual manner.

The terminals are joined or bridged by a two part switch member 19 to close the circuit in the manner of a single circuit switch. The member 19 is mounted to oscillate as a unit with a U-shaped.l switch carrying or switch actuating member 20, and around a pivotpin 2l. The pin 21 is mounted on lugs or wings 23 bent down from the plate 11 and perforated for the passage of the pivot pin. The U-shap-ed actuating member 20 is perforated adjacent the extremities of its arms for the passage of the pivot pin 21. The switch carrying member 20 is perforated to hold a metallic lug 24 rockably mounted on the inner face of its cross bar. A spring 26 lits like a cap over the lug 24 and is retained in place thereby between the arms of the U- shaped member 20.

The lug 24 is an important feature of this construction. It is a flat metal sheet stamped to have an extension 24 and integral lugs or wings 24. The extension 24 may be of less width than the body of the lug 24. This extension looselyT or rockably enters a slot in the cross bar of the U-shaped actuating member 20. The wings 24 -extend to the inner facesr of the sides of the member 2O but are free t0 slide on the inner faces of the mem- 6 ber 20. These wings support the spring in the manner of knife edges and render its action much more rapid than would be possible if the vspring could not rock on an edge. As will be noted in Figs. 1 and 2 thek lug 24 leans away from the line of pressure of the spring 26 but will be temporarily in line with it, increasing the pressure when the control lever 12 is moved to actuate the switch. This function avoids any sluggishness in action and gives the switch an especially effective and rapid actuation.

The control lever 12 of insulatory material, such as vulcanite, suitably reinforced, extends through the top plate 10 and has a metallic arm 27 extending into the box 1l and in line with the lever 12. The arm 27 is perforated for the passage of the pivot pin 2l and notched at 28 to yreceive the end of the spring26. A bent plate 30 fits the inner extremity of thevulcanite portion of the lever 12 and rides on the pivot pin 21. The plate serves to protect the vulcanite portion of the control lever from wear.

VA highly advantageous feature of my invention lies in the mounting and in the design of the U-shaped switch member 20 which causes it to limit the movements of the switch. This insures good electrical contacts, andV prevents battering of the soft copper, contact gripping ends in the box. As noticed in Figs. 1 and 2, the corners 3l and 32 bear against the inner face of the topy plate 10 at extreme positions of the switch member 20. As seen in Fig. 1, where the switch is closed, the upper corners 31 are bearing against the top plate and prevent movement of such a degree orV extent as would carry the switch past the contact points. The corners 3l end the closing movement of the switch to effect or arrange a good electrical path through the switch. In F ig. 2, the lower corners 32 of the U-shaped switch actuating member are shown bearing against the plate l() and retain the switch member free of any electrical contacts and free of the Walls of the box. Thus the switch carrying member 2O acts as a stop to limit its move ments and those of the switch member 19. T his function results in simplicity in the construction of the switch as a whole.

The usual vulcanite or bak-elite plates 34 are used to insulate the U-shaped member 20 from the switch member 19.v The usualV covering plate 35 may be mounted on the exterior of the box to provide a suitable covering to the switch and a decorative finish to the Wall in which it is mounted.

The operation of the switch is simple. Rocking movement of the control lever 12 and its arm 27 compresses the spring 26 and rocks it about the wings 24 of the lug 24. At its extreme position the spring 26 acting through the lug 24 quickly kicks the member 2() and the switch 19 to the opposite extreme position either open or closed. The lug 24 then rocks to lean away from the line of pressure of the spring. rlhe switch is positively held in its extreme position with the corners 31 or 32 forced against the support 10 by the pressure of the spring 26.

When the spring is moved to actuate the switch it receives an increase in load rising to a maximum at the extreme positions with a direct thrust in the plane of the lug 24. This gives a strong starting movement resulting in an instantaneous movement of the switch. All sluggishness in the switch is avoided by a free rocking movement of all the parts about knife edges or pivots.

It is apparent that the switch of my invention is unusually simple, sturdy and efcient.

I claim:

1. An electric switch comprising a supporting plate having an opening therein, a control member passing through said opening and pivoted on one side of said plate, said control member having an arm extending beyond said pivot away from the plate, a U- shaped switch member having its arms disposed on opposite sides of said arm of the control member and mounted on the same pivot, a lug rockably mounted in an opening in the bottom of said U, and a compression spring having one end connected to said arm of the control member and the other end receiving said lug, said spring forming the sole operative connection between said control member and switch member.

2. An electric switch comprising a supporting plate having an opening therein, a control member passing through said opening and pivoted on one side of said plate, said control member having an arm extending be yond said pivot away from the plate, a U- shaped switch member having its arms dis posed on opposite sides ot said arm of the control member and mounted on the same pivot, a lug rockably mounted in an opening in the bottom of said U, said lug having wings projecting on opposite sides thereof and engaging the bottom of said U to form bearings for the rocking movement of the lug, and a compression spring having one end connected to said arm of the control mem ber and the other end receiving said lug, said spring forming the sole operative connection between said control member and switch member.

JOSEPH r. sEUFFnRT. 

